Fall to Winter Maintenance Timeline for Your Pond
It's time to start planning your cold-weather strategy for your pond and water garden. Fall and winter are critical months for pond maintenance, especially if you have fish, plants, and other pond-life. Transitioning into colder weather can be tricky and requires a bit of preparation to go smoothly. One of the main focuses in fall is keeping the pond clean for winter shutdown. Review our fall-to-winter timeline to get ready for pond care in the colder months.
End of Summer
Depending on where you live, summer weather may linger well into fall, or the season change may happen quickly. When the weather cools, it's time to get into the fall mindset: keep the pond clean. You can still enjoy your pond during the fall; just pay extra attention to water quality. Now is an excellent time to perform water quality tests and use water treatments as needed to keep clear of debris.
Beginning of Fall
The cool breeze kicks in, and leaves begin to change color, letting you know that fall is here. Whether or not leaves are a problem in the fall for your pond depends on its location. If your pond is underneath a big tree that will lose all of its leaves, you can install a pond net to catch the leaves.
Mid-Fall
Start preparing your pond plants. Your pond plant strategy will depend on where you live, each plant's hardiness, and how deep your pond is. If you live in the south, your pond may not freeze at all. Non-hardy plants may need to be moved inside, while others can be trimmed down and placed deeper into the pond. In colder climates, most plants will need to overwinter indoors.
Keep an eye on debris and scoop out any leaves that make their way into your pond. If the leaves sink to the bottom, they can pile up faster than the bacteria can break them down. It's essential to keep your pond clean as you head into winter. If your pond has too much debris, you can use a pond vacuum to clean the buildup at the bottom or use a sludge remover.
Late Fall/Early Winter
As your plants start to brown and lose their blooms and leaves, keep them trimmed so the dying foliage doesn't end up in the water. The temperature outside isn't the same as the water temperature in your pond. Use a water thermometer to monitor your pond's temperature to know when it's time to start reducing fish feeding and remove pumps and fountains.
Winter Timeline – Colder Climates
Once Water Temperature Drops to 60°F
When the pond's water temperature drops to 60°F, it's time to start slowing down your fish feeding and start your winter feeding schedule (feeding less and incorporating wheat germ). Fish are cold-blooded, so they need warmth from their environment to power their metabolisms. As the water gets colder, their metabolisms will continue to slow and nearly stop. They won't need any food once the temperature drops below 50°F.
Once Water Temperature Drops to 40°F
Water begins to freeze at 32°F, but it's important to remove your pond equipment before it starts to freeze. If you leave your fountains, pumps, and waterfalls running when the water drops to 40°F, it can lead to overcooling.
Aeration is essential, especially in the winter, so keeping an aerator in the pond throughout winter is a good idea. As you remove your pumps and other pond equipment, move the aerator to a shallow part of the pond and run 24/7. The aerator will help oxygenate the water and keep a section of the ice open.
Before the First Freeze
Unplug, drain, and cover your outdoor fountains (or move them indoors) before the ice starts to form. Ice can clog the tubing and cause the pumps to run dry, leading to burnout and other damage. Ice also expands as it forms, which can lead to cracking.
Pond Freezes
If your pond is deep enough that your fish can overwinter in it, you can let your pond freeze over as long as a section of the ice is left open so the water can stay oxygenated. Your fish will go to the bottom of the pond, where the water is the warmest, and barely swim. Regularly check on your fish and other pondlife and look for any signs of changes. If your pond is at risk of freezing completely, over winter fish indoors. You can drain your pond or leave the water once your fish are inside.
It's important to keep an eye on your pond to make sure the aerator is working, and there is a consistent opening in the ice. As the snow falls, make sure it doesn't build up on the pond's surface and prevent sunlight from hitting the water. You can gently sweep it off. Sunlight is vital for oxygenation, too.
Fall and winter may not be the most exciting time for water gardening, as many water features have to be stored for the duration of winter or moved inside. These seasons are important for pond maintenance and a smooth transition into spring. As the weather turns colder in the fall, the focus is on minimizing debris and maintaining water quality, and then preparing fish and plants for winter. During the winter, once the pond is shut down, there is little to do but check and make sure there aren't any changes and that your fish and other pondlife are healthy. The extra care you put into fall and winter helps make your spring reopening easier so you can start water gardening without any water quality issues.
